Electrode construction



Jan. 19, 1932. H.' w. JONES ELECTRODE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 30, 1927- mu. F

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ATTORN'EY Patented Jan. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE nueo w. JONES,

OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ABSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE LAMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA mcrnonr. cons'raucnon Application filed larch 30, 1327. Serial 170. 179,436.

This invention relates to an electrode construction for an electron discharge device and more particularly .to a control ,or grid electrode therefor.

8 It is essential in order to prevent noises and other irregular actions in electron discharge devices employing in addition to the anode and cathode, an intermediate control electrode and to maintain the characteristics W of the device constant that the electrodes be mounted in predetermined and definite spaced relation and that such spaced relation be accurately maintained... Heretofore, 1t has been the usual ractice to rigidly mount the electrodes in t eir proper relation but due to this rigid mounting, considerable difficulty has been experienced because of wa-rping or distortion of the grid electrode by the unequal expansion of the electrode, due to the heat produced within the device, partic-' ularly when the electrodes are subjected to,

hlilll voltages V oreover, with prior electrode assemblies it is a troublesome and delicate operation reuiring skillful manipulations to mount the lamentary electrode within the grid electrode.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an electrode assembly in which the elements constituting the grid electrode are free to expand and contract without changing the relative position of the electrode with respect to the other electrodes and in which warping and distortion of the grid electrode is prevented.

Another object is to provide an electrode construction which is easy to assemble and in which the grid may be .applied to the assembly subsequent to the mounting of the filament in osition.

Other ob ects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In accordance with the present invention a rigid framework is mounted within the device in definite and fixed relation to the other electrodes. This framework serves as a support and guide for the grid proper. The grid electrode is formed by win ing the grid elements about a pair of spaced supports or otherwise arranging the grid elements therebetween. The ri id framework is rovided with a guideway or the reception of the grid wire supports so as to enable the grid to be applied thereto and adjusted thereon in the proper position. The framework may serve as a support for the filament which may be mounted in position prior to the application of the grid proper to the framework. The grid is secured to the framework at one or more points, one side thereof, however, being left free to provide for contraction and expansion of the grid wires. The grid is maintained in proper relation to the other electrodes during expansion and contraction thereof by the interaction of the guideway formed in the framework and the grid support.

' In order that the invention may be more fully understood reference will be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly of the grid electrode and the filamentary electrode;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

fig 3 is an elevation of the grid proper; an

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the framework prior to the mounting of the grid thereon.

The electrode assembly shown in Fig. 1 comprises framework 1 composed of two reversely bent rigid support wires 2 and 3 arranged with their sides in parallel spaced relation, so as to provide guideways 4 and 5 on opposite sides thereof. These parallel members are offset toward each other as shown at 6 where they are welded or otherwise secured together so as to maintain the closed ends of the loops in definite spaced relation. The free ends of each of the loops are secured to a collar 7 by means of straps 8 and the collar 7 is adapted to be clamped about a reentrant stem portion of the device not shown. The upper ends of the parallel members 2 and 3 are maintained in spaced relation'by short lengths of wires 9 which are welded or otherwise secured therebetween.

The filament 10 may be mounted within the framework, the bight portions 11 thereof being supported from hooks 12 carried by springs 13 secured in insulating beads 14 supported from the framework 1 by the wires 9. The lower ends of the filament may be clamped to the filament leading-in conductors 1n the usual manner.

,The grid electrode illustrated in Fig. 3 is formed by winding a refractory metal wire 15 about a pair of spaced support wires 16 and 17 although, if desired, it might be composed of stamped metal having rigid end members, such as disclosed in application Serial No. 744,155, J. W. Greenbowe, filed October 17, 1924 and entitled Multiple grid electrode. The grid electrode is designed so that the supports 16 and 17 will fit within the guideways 4 and 5 formed between the side members of. the framework 1 and the grid is applied thereto by the ex edient of sliding it over the end of the said 'ramework. This may be accomplished, of course, after the framework has been mounted upon the reentrant stem of the device and the filament secured in position. The grid, after it has been adjusted in the proper position on the framework 1, may be welded thereto at 18 and 19 or welded either at 18 or 19 only. The oposite side of the grid is left free so that it does not restrict the expansion of the grid wires 15 and thereb cause the same to buckle or become 'distorte so as to change the rel ative position of the grid with respect to the filament. During the expansion of the grid wires, the outward movement of the support 16 is guided by the groove 5 so that displacement of the grid on the framework 1 is prevented.

It is obvious, of course, that many changes may be made in the exact details of the construction without departing from the invention and I do not desire to be limited except by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrode assemblyfor an electron discharge device comprising a rigid frame composed of longitudinally extending substantially rectangular spaced parallel members, a grid having longitudinal and transverse members, said longitudinal members being disposed between said parallel members, one of said longitudinal members being connected to adjacent parallel members so as to permit free expansion and contraction of said transverse members relative to said frame.

2. An electrode assembly for an electron discharge device comprising a ri 'd frame composed of spaced parallel mem ers, disposed in close spaced relation, a grid having longitudinal and transverse members, said longitudinal members being disposed between said parallel members, one of said longitudinal members being secured to adjacent parallel members so as to permit free expension and contraction of said transverse members relative to said frame, said grid being guided during expansion and contraction by the parallel members forming said frame.

3. An electrode assembly for an electron discharge device comprising a frame having a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel supports forming longitudinal extending guideways, and an electrode supported by said frame havin longitudinally extending members disposed in said guideways, at least one of said members having limited movement relative to saidguideways during expansion and contraction of the electrode.

4. An electrode assembly for an electrical discharge device comprising a pair of longitudinally extending rigidly mounted s aced parallel supports forming longitudinal y extending guideways and an electrode having longitudinal members, one of said members being disposed in each of said guideways for maintaining said electrode in proper position relative to said su ports, one of said members having limited movement in said guideway to permit expansion and contraction of the electrode.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 29th day of March,

HUGO W. JONES. 

